Killer Dana Board Society

Alex What look are we going to see alot of within the next year?
“There are alot of dresses, I really love dresses”

There were alot of minis up there (on runway), but WE really likes long dresses like the maxi, what about you?
“The Maxi dress, down to the floor and flowing skirts, those will be holding on strong!”

How did you design styles to fit with the brand’s beach to street approach?
“I took alot of inspiration from nature. I think it’s important for a young designer to be able to wear a lot of different hats”

A tip that he may have taken from Ezekiel’s newest creative force Desiree Faase. The lead on the 2010 Spring line and mentor to the designers from Needle and Thread. She clued us into her experience with her LA Brand Sterling, as well as her insight of what’s next .

What are you working on right now? What is next for Ezekiel Summer?
“Lots of color! With more of the corals and those perry winkles you saw this season all approved.”

What’s going to be big for the next Summer or even next Spring?
Acknowledging down to her own dress “More transitional garments, like this one. Things you can easily dress it up or down and wear with sandals”

So that’s two votes for dresses and one vote for lots of color. The Good news is that you don’t have to wait for either!

Photo: Chris Tietz

Photo: Chris Tietz

Photo: Chris Tietz

Thanks to SoCal Skateparks for all the images and info on the park.

-Teddy
Alley Skate Shop

Photo courtesy of Servias

“Alana has been been having an okay rookie year—equal 9ths in every event. But the Women’s Tour is a lot smaller than the Men’s Tour, so staying on means putting up a few big results. Sitting at 13th at the moment, she’s in need of a few solid results in these last two events. Well, yesterday she stamped her authority all over the Women’s Vans Triple Crown of Surfing by taking the Vans Hawaiian Pro, giving her an early lead for the Triple Crown. Though the win won’t help her up her ratings to stay on Tour for next year (no ‘QS points), it will give her a huge boost of confidence heading into the rest of the Triple Crown.

The lone Hawaiian in the final, Alana faced three women who each had at least one world title to their names (Steph Gilmore, Becca Woods, and Sofia Mulanovich). The mentality we thought she would be taking was the “Hey I’ve made it to the final. That’s a great result.” But that wasn’t what Alana had in mind.

Photo courtesy CI/ASP Scholtz via Getty Images

Though Haleiwa wasn’t anywhere near perfect, Alana was controlling the sporadic lefts all day long and getting some of the biggest scores on them. Trailing the current 2x Women’s World Champ Steph Gilmore with about five minutes left, Alana picked off another one of those lefts. The runner allowed her multiple fluid swoops on her good-looking backside resulting in a 7.83. She had snatched the lead from the woman hailed as the best women’s surfer, giving Alana the biggest victory of her career.

Photo courtesy of Sarvias

If Alana can carry this momentum throughout the rest of the Triple Crown, she’ll be surfing with them best of them. And to stay with the best of them she’s going to have to keep it up. Congrats Alana!”

Thanks to Ryan Brower at Transworldsurf.com for this great article!

Jake Halstead Wins Grom Search Nationals 14Under Division at Salt Creek‏ Beach, California!

In the Boys 14/Under division, Jake Halstead utilized the rights going into the point to unleash a succession of hacks and blow tails to undeniably scalp the 14/U National Final title and nab $500 in prize money. The powerful regularfoot and decorated G-Search vet fended off Colin Moran (CA), Koa Smith (HI), and Taylor Clark (CA), who finished 2nd-4th respectively.

For the full story check out RipCurl.com

Germany has a long history of high quality design, engineering, and manufacturing, but surfing technology? Germany is not what we normally think of when we think surfboards. Well, enter ‘Bufo’ Brauers, a German surfboard shaper, who has created a surfboard blank, the HydroFlex, that may revolutionize surfboard construction and technology.

After many years of research, starting way back in 1998, Brauers has been developing his ideas for flexible surfboard blanks. The result was the ‘bionic’ surfboard construction process that won a prestigious IF-Award in 2005, one of the world’s most prestigious international design awards. After the award, Volkswagen invited Brauers to Wolfsburg and enabled him to produce his revolutionary blanks in Germany, at the VW manufacturing facility.

“Nature is the best designer,” Brauers believes, and his ideas for a flexible, responsive blank came from studying natural movements and experimenting with natural materials. He never believed in the EPS foam used in traditional epoxy blanks, as EPS absorbs water too easily and lacks shear strength. Eventually he developed foam that is strong, recyclable, and doesn’t absorb much water – a unique, natural construction that enables the fastest flex pattern possible. Flex is very important, and the HydroFlex blanks don’t lose their pop even after years of hard surfing. The blanks produce an amazingly strong, better performing surfboard, and because they use mostly recycled materials, the blanks are very environmentally friendly. They’re very light and stay light even after getting damaged – the blank does not suck water at all.

Today, some of the best shapers in the world, including Lost Surfboards’ Matt Biolos and Timmy Patterson of TPatterson surfboards, are using their customized designs with the HydroFlex technology, enabling them to produce magic boards to the weight, size, and preference of the individual surfer. The HydroFlex design team removed all materials that suck in water such as EPS, wood, and PU, and instead replaced it with their patented bionic process, which enables the surfer to inject air, as much as seven PSI, for the stiffest flex, or less air for more flex. Because the air naturally repels water, the blank stays drier longer, resulting in a surfboard that keeps its lively feel for years of use.

Tom Curren and Chris Ward are among the many converts to the new technology, and if you’re interested, (I know I can’t wait to ride one), feel free to stop by our Killer Dana shop in Dana Point to take a look at a custom TPatterson hydroflex board, and maybe you’ll be ready to join the revolution!!

-GW

Born in Moorea (French Polynesia) 46 years ago, Aken is in the ocean nearly everyday, surfing, stand-up paddling or kitesurfing, whatever the conditions are: perfect or crappy, tiny or huge. Incredibly fit, he’s got this fearlessness and at the same time easy going and friendly attitude that makes him so special.

I love to be in the water with him: first, because his style is so fluid and powerful; second, because even when you think he’s not going to make it, he still makes it; and third, because his laugh is the most contagious laugh I know.

I also love the fact that even though he will never tell you what his full name is (Pssshhhh…), he will always be there to share great stories and sound advice. And on a bright Sunday afternoon, between two surfing sessions, I decided to take some time to sit down for a little while and to chat with him… just to try and understand what it’s like to be a real waterman.

Photo: Guillaume Chastagnol

When did you start surfing?

I took my first waves when I was about 6 or 7 years old, on long flat pieces of wood. Then around 13, my friends and I were given an old surfboard. That’s all we had, and we had to share it! It was so funny: we would paddle together on a canoe to go surfing the reef break located in front of my place, and we just took turns: one of us was surfing, while the others stayed on the canoe eating mangoes and getting all excited because we couldn’t wait to go in the water.

But it was a different time back then: most of the time, I ended up surfing by myself because I couldn’t find anybody to come with me (laughs).

Huh… doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, especially on big days…

I got to experiment surfing in many different conditions all by myself. And it taught me a lot of things: when you’re on your own, it’s between you and mother nature. That’s how l learned to develop my focus and to “read” the elements: the color of the water, the way it moves, the tides, the horizon, the wind, everything… when you’re by yourself on big days, you become like a wild animal, all your senses are working towards only one purpose: just keeping you alive. You’re in survival mode and it’s an amazing sensation…

Because I’ve done this so much over the last 30 years, it has become second nature; I know how things work out there…

Photo: Guillaume Chastagnol

What does surfing represent for you?

It used to be my passion, but it has become my life, it’s who I am; I cannot live without this feeling of riding a wave.

Surfing has taught so much in life: I learned to go with the flow, in and out of the water. Surfing also taught me to slow down and to look at the beauty around me: ocean, waves, sunsets; I learned to be humble and to respect mother nature. We’re so lucky to have all this, I just wish more people could take a little bit of time to see what we see.

You go out whatever the conditions are: what thoughts cross your mind when a big set rolls in? And when you paddle for it?

Sometimes I get scared, but fear is exciting… and I know where my limits are: I like to think that I’m a “sensible freak”, despite what people think (laughs). When I see a big set coming towards me, the first thought that crosses my mind is: “how do I escape this?” But when I decide to paddle for a wave, I stop thinking. You can’t hesitate when it gets big; if you do, you end up getting hurt. So I just paddle hard, take off, and see what happens.

What’s the biggest wave you’ve surfed?

I don’t know… when it gets to a certain size, you don’t measure the wave anymore; you just can’t. You measure your sensations; that’s how you can tell there’s a difference (smile).

Photo: Guillaume Chastagnol

Your best memory?

Surfing this big left with a bunch of friends about 10 years ago: it was big (more than 9 ft) and perfect. I got the biggest barrels of my life… there was so much water surrounding me… and I broke 2 boards in 1 hour (laughs).

Your worst memory?

I can’t tell you either, I nearly drowned soooo many times; your lungs burn, you have cramps everywhere, you can’t see anything, you nearly pass out…But I’m lucky, I tend to forget fast, that’s why I keep paddling out on big days. And it’s important to be in shape: you want to trust your body, your mind, and their abilities. I don’t get that scared when I’m healthy and clear-minded… because I feel strong.

And you stand-up paddle and kite board as well!

Yes, I started kiteboarding 7 years ago and I loved it from the very first day. Freestyling is fun but kiting in the waves is what I love. That’s the reason why decided to learn the sport: I wanted to surf waves in a different way.

As for stand up paddling, it is a nice alternative when the surf is small or not that fun… I mean, when it’s not big & barreling (laughs).

Photo: Vainui

What’s next?

I want to try foil surfing, tow-in surfing, and catamaran racing around the globe… all the exciting stuff.

What’s your philosophy in life?

Don’t think about the past, it’s gone, what is done is done. Live in the present and enjoy every minute; remember that when you waste time, even if it is just a second, you’ll never get it back. Enjoy life & make it beautiful.

I also believe that it’s important sometimes to be on your own, in order to question your behavior, you assumptions, and your thoughts. I often meditate, especially when I am in the water. This practice has made me a calmer and wiser person; I get to see what is really important and what is not, and I find solutions to my problems.

Words to live by?

Smile at life, and life will smile at you.

Between you and me, I like to call him “Obi Wan Akenobi”… just because I believe the Force is with him.

There is something about Hawaii that makes anything and everything that much better. Take work for example. The other day I found myself digging a 500 foot long trench in the sand. With sweat pouring out every gland on my body and blisters forming with every prod of the shovel, I paused and glanced around at what surrounded me.

All of the sudden digging a trench didn’t seem so bad. It’s a small price to pay to be put up on a beautiful island for six weeks, surrounded by perfect waves.

Arrival at the Reef Hawaiian pro

In case you are wondering the reasoning behind digging trenches in the sand, it has a lot to do with the the annual surfing circus that comes to the North Shore every year. You might know this better as the Triple Crown of Surfing. The trenches are necessary for the massive amounts of cable it takes to run an event and webcast it to the world.

This webcast is the reason that for the next six weeks, I will be working on the North Shore; helping produce three webcasts, checking out the people and hopefully getting piped off my rocker.

Just a tiny bit of the gear for the webcast

The sadly ironic part about the latter is that when the waves are really pumping, I will be working. The first week here has been fairly sizeable although lacking the right direction for prime conditions on the reefs of the North Shore.

Haleiwa, the first stop of the Triple Crown has been absolutely dismal and has only held competition one day so far. This is due to a rare swell direction out of the east north east that doesn’t wrap around into the historic surf break.

The trailer set up

After a few days of event preparation, the swell direction graced our crew with not only a few lay days, but fun waves on other parts of the island.

The amount of surfers converged on this rock during this time of year is a sight in itself. Every breaking wave you see is bound to have a couple guys ripping. Usually there are a couple lenses on the beach to follow their every turn.

The first stages of a cable trench

Familiar faces pop out everywhere you go. From checking the waves, to Foodland, to Sharks Cove Grill, it’s hard to go somewhere without broing down at some point. Much like work though, the bro down here is that much better by the simple fact that you are both in Hawaii.

The guys that have been doing this pilgrimage for years have their programs on lock. Crews form, packs converge and cliques rise out of what was a peaceful country town a couple months ago and is now a collection of national and cultural groups interacting with each other. The beautiful part is that everyone is brought to this island through surfing.

Stormy sunset

The eight mile stretch of beach that makes up the North Shore of Oahu is geared up and ready to roll for another season. The boys will have a week or so of small surf, but we can all bet that when that first solid swell rolls into town, everyone is going to be on it.

After years of doing battle on the QS without a major victory, Nate Yeomans is leaving Santa Cruz with a prestigious title and 3500 points towards his qualifying bid.

The Lane delivered once again on Sunday, providing solid surf for the boys to put on a show in front of the natural ocean amphitheater that is the Santa Cruz Westside.

Nate worked his way past heavy hitter Cory Lopez in the quarters and faced an in form Alejo Muniz of Brazil in the semis. The final pitted Nate against Aussie Heath Joske in shifting, overhead peaks at Steamer Lane.

It’s tough to watch perfect peaks rolling through your local break with no one on them, and the West Siders showed their dismay when Yeomans pulled back on one of the bigger waves of the day.

Nate knew what he was doing the whole time as he racked up a couple solid scores and controlled the final from the very beginning.

The stoke everyone here at KD felt when we saw Nate take it down could not even come close to what he must have felt after his first 6 star prime win.  He will carry this momentum into Hawaii, where another solid result can secure his spot on the WCT for next year.

Photos: Ryan Craig